The Rotary Club of Regina Eastview chose to celebrate World Polio Day on October 22, 2026 rather than the 24th as it fits into our Club's weekly cycle. The 6:00 P.M. dinner event was coordinated by Rotarian Toshi Shinmura a member if the Club's International Service Project Committee and his wife Linda. It was held in the spacious Reception area of the Dignity Memorial Funeral Home on Regina's Victoria Avenue, and the catered meal was provided by Charlotte's Catering from Moose Jaw.
As the Mistress of Ceremonies, Linda Shinmura gently called the gathering to order, sharing with us a Land Acknowledgement statement. She then invited Peter Peters to share an Invocation / Prayer. Peter reminded us that we were gathering to celebrate a 'journey of profound hope and enduring commitment, to strike out the fear of polio forever'. Peter said we stand in a world where polio has been reduced by 99.9 percent in the past 4 decades. Peter could have told us how that reduction has been achieved; how the number of wild polio cases diagnosed in the world in 1988 were 350,000, in the then 124 polio endemic countries; Peter could also have said that in the calendar year 2025 the number of wild polio cases diagnosed in the now two remaining polio endemic countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan, was 52 - 21 in Afghanistan and 31 in Pakistan. A reduction from nearly 1,000 cases a day in 1988to 52 cases in 365 days in 2025, That is visualizing a reduction of 99.9%.
The reduction is the result of the countries in the world collectively committed to, and focusing on, the eradication of polio from the world. A promise made in 1985. Let us stay focused on our commitment to, ‘the children of the world’.
Courtesy of Rotary International
UNIVERSITY OF REGINA ROTARACT CLUB
In preparation for World Polio Day Regina's 21 member Rotaract Club hosted a fundraising event for students at the U of R where walking was the challenge. The resources raised were for the PolioPlus initiative focused on the worldwide eradication of Polio. Thank you for putting your youthful shoulders to the Rotary wheel.
You are making a difference
Standing behind the podium is Julcit Wuyep, President of the University of Regina Rotaract Club along with 6 members of the Club. Pictured with this group is Regina Eastview's Vice President, Greg Baca, Dignity Memorial Funeral Home Director. Please let the editor know if you are not able to pick Greg out of the group.
FELLOWSHIP HIGHLIGHTS
Toshi and Linda Shinmura have, for the last four years served as Regina Eastview's Coordinators of our World Polio Day Celebration and the event has become a highlight each year. THANK YOU, Toshi and Linda.
Hats off to Greg Baca and Dignity Memorial staff, for hosting our Celebration and looking after diner needs before, during and probably for some time after all the rest of us were at home.
Charlotte's Catering, has once again demonstrated they have the ability of serving a quality meal in the facility in which we have chosen for our events.
Mixing up the seating arrangement and providing a unique way of sharing PolioPlus information, while at the same time creating a neutral way of selecting door prize winners is worthy of note.
All of the above get high marks, and the clincher for this writer was the entertainment.
Linda Shinmura’s nephew Greg Dunstan, and his wife is Jocelyn were the icing on the this celebration cake.
Known as a Winnipeg based musical duo, First Avenue, features Jocelyn Dunstan (vocals and percussion), and Greg (vocals and guitar).
From their introductory, Save the Last Dance for Me, attendees had visions of Dollie Parton and Kenny Rogers.
For a number in the room this was a dance down memory lane,
It took Toshi and Linda onto the dance floor to make up for a planned but snowed out special First Avenue visit to Regina in honour of a special Shinmura event.
Because of this missed opportunity Greg asked the Shinmura's if they would honour First Avenue's missed opportunity and grace a portion of this hall as a ballroom.
Toshi and Linda accepted the offer, and as the gathered we witnessed Toshi and Linda in graceful Ballroom mode - Thank you.
Check out the history of this long standing musical duo on Google.
Of course the highlight was the great group of attendees. You made the difference and your participation is applauded as are your donations to PolioPlus, which for this event totalled $2,366.00 - appreciated THANKS to all.
Do consider taking in RC of Regina regular November 2, 2026, 12 noon meeting at the Delta - your attendance would be appreciated.
Wishing everyone a wonderful week of goodness and a joyously spooky Halloween.
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“Our greatest responsibility is to be a good ancestors.”
Dr. Jonas Salk - developer of the first safe Polio vaccine.
Today's guests
It was great to have a wonderful group of visitors at our World Polio Day Celebration. Visitors included a group of Funeral Home Staff, a group of Rotaractors, friends and members of Regina Eastview families, and a contingent from the RC of Regina. The latter included George & Sheila Carson, Ian and Nora Yeates, Allen & Frances Goudie, Stewart Graham & Gilda Treleavan Graham.
Thank you to one and all for your participation and support in this important international service project.
Next Meeting Responsibility
Our next meeting is a ZOOM meeting at 12 noon on November 12, 2026
